Assembling-machine.



G. A. ENSIGN. ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED rmmv, 1912.

1,040,91 0. Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

6 SHEETSSHEET 1.

n i WUNEsSES Q M x ml'uelvrol? Wj W0 ATTORNEYS G. A. BNSIGN.

ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED PBB.17,1912. 1,040,910. Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

6 SHBETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES I INVENTOR zma/ zfiw ATTORNEYS wLummA PLANOCIIZAPHCO.,WASIIINGTON. l). c

G. A. ENSIGN.

ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED IEB.17,1012. 1,040,91 O. Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

B SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES 4 INVENTOR W AITORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOURAPH 6a.. WASHINGTON, D.C.

G. A. ENSIGN.

ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION IILED FEB. 11, 1912.

e SHEETS-SEEM 4.

Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

lNl/E/VTOR ATTORNEYS WITNESSES wLummA PLANOORAPH co.,w,\sumu'mN, n c.

G. A. ENSIGN.

ASSEMBLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED M347, 1912.

1,040,9 1 O. Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNEVSSES MENTOR Za/m/w/ 660252519? G. A. ENSIGN. ASSBMBLING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION IILBD FEB. 17,1912.

1 ,040,9 1 O, Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

WITNESSES 0 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS COLUMBIA PLANOaIzAPn CD.,WA5|HNOTON, n,c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. ENSIG-N, OF DEFIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 DEFIANGE MACHINEWORKS, OF DEFIANCE, OHIO.

ASSEMBLING-MAGHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 17, 1912. Serial No. 678,251.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. ENsroN, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Defiance, in the county of Defiance and State of Ohio,have invented a new and Im proved Assembling-Machine, of which thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact descrip tion.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved assemblingmachine, more especially designed for assembling the sections of woodenwheels such as are used for automobiles and other vehicles, the ma chinebeing arranged to insure an accurate and quick assembling of the wheelparts with a view to form a true wheel and to provide the wheel partswith a false or a temporary hub to hold the parts together until a tireis placed on the rim. For the purpose mentioned, use is made of a seriesof radially-disposed presser devices for engagement with the rim of thewheel sections. and positive means connected with the said presserdevices to cause the same to move in unison. Use is also made of presserdevices disposed vertically for pressing the clamping members of a falseor a temporary hub in engagement with the inner ends of the spokes ofthe wheel sections after the same are assembled, and to allow offastening the said clamping members together to hold the wheel sectionsin position until a tire is placed around the rim of the wheel.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in whichsimilar characters of reference inclicatecorresponding parts in all theviews.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembling machine; Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same, parts being in section and the presser devicesbeing in withdrawn position; Fig. 3 is a similar view of the sameshowing the wheel sections in position in the machine and the presserdevices in engagement therewith to assemble the wheel sections forforming a true wheel; Fig. 4: is a vertical section of the assemblingmachine on the line 44t of Fig. 3 parts being shown in elevation; Fig. 5is a cross section of the same on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 parts beingshown in elevation; Fig 6 is an enlarged cross section of the same andshowing the. clamping members of the false hub m position on the innerends of the spokes; Fig.

7 is a sectional plan view of part of the same on the line 7-7 of Fig.6; Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the wheel sectionsin assembled position and held in place by a false or a temporary hub;Fig. 9 is a. plan view of a bottom clamping member of the false hub; andFig. 10 is a side elevation of the head for engagement with the topclamping member of the false or temporary hub,

The improved assembling machine is mounted on a circular frame A held onstandards or legs B, B adapted to rest on the floor or other support. Ontop of the frame A are mounted a series of radiallydisposed presserdevices, preferably in the form of hydraulic rams having cylinders Csecured to the said frame A and containing pistons D adapted to engagethe peripheral face of the rim E of the wheel E made in two, three, fouror more sections, to be assembled or pressed together with a view toform a true wheel. The wheel E is supported on a table F havingdepending slides F mounted to slide in vertical guideways B formed onthe inner faces of the legs B, as plainly indicated in Figs. 5 and 6.Screw rods G screw in the slides-F and are mounted to turn on a crossbar B connecting the legs B with each other. The lower ends of the screwrods G are provided wit-h bevel gear wheels G in mesh with bevel pinionsG secured on a shaft Gr journaled in suitable bearings arranged on thecross bar B and on one of the screw rods G is secured a gear wheel Gr inmesh with a pinion H (see Fig. 4) secured on the lower end of aninclined shaft H" journaled in suitable bearings arranged on one of thelegs B of the frame A. On the upper end of the shaft H is secured abevel gear wheel H in mesh with a pinion H secured on ahorizontallydisposed shaft H journaled on the frame A and carrying atits outer end ahand wheel H" under the control of the operator forturning the shaft 'I-I so as to rotate the shaft H by the pinion H andthe gear wheel H The rotary motion given to the shaft H is transmittedby the pinion H and the gear wheel G to one of the screw rods G, and asimilar rotary motion is transmitted to the other screw rod G by theconnect-ing gearing consisting of the gear wheels G, G and the shaft 3}.Thus when the screw rods G are rotated the slides F Patented Oct. 8,1912.

are raised or lowered according to the direction in which the hand wheelH is turned so that the table F supporting the wheel E is raised orlowered to bring the axes of the pistons D approximately to the middleof the width of the rim E and into the same plane of the axes of thespokes E of the wheel. The table F is provided with a cylindrical neck Fprovided at its lower end with a flange F to which the slides F arebolted or otherwise secured, and the said neck F is provided with anexterior screw thread on which screws the hub F of a table top F onwhich rests the rim E of the wheel E. The spokes E of the wheel E aresupported on top of a central apertured plate F fitting onto the top ofthe neck F 2 of the table F, it being understood that the table top Fcan be screwed up or down on the neck F to accommodate wheels in whichthe width of the rim E varies so that the rim E is properly supported onthe table top F and the inner ends of the spokes rest flat on the centerplate F.

The outer ends of the cylinders G are connected by branch pipes I withan annular supply pipe I supported on the frame A and connected by pipesI with a pipe I leading to a pump or other means for supplying the outerends of the cylinders C with oil or other liquid under pressure so as toforce the pistons D inward toward a common center which is also thecenter of the wheel E.

In order to press the wheel sections uniformly together with a view toform an absolutely true wheel itis necessary that the pistons D move inunison, and for this purpose positive gearing means are employed,arranged as follows: Each of the pistons D is provided on opposite sideswith racks D each engaged by a gear wheel J mounted to turn in suitablebearings arranged on the corresponding cylinder C and adjacent gearwheels J are in mesh with each other, as plainly shown in Fig. 2, sothat all the pistons D are connected with each other by the gear wheelsJ and the racks D to cause the said pistons D to move in unison whenpressure is applied to the outer ends of the said pistons D. Thus allthe pistons D move in unison and in a radial direct-ion and consequentlyengage the peripheral face of the rim of the wheel sections to exert apressure on the said wheel sections uniformly and in the direction ofthe center of the wheel so that the wheel sections are pressed togetherwith a view of forming a true wheel.

It is understood that the spokes E are tapered at their inner sides (seeFig. 3) so that the said sides abut against each other when the wheelsections are finally assembled under pressure of the pistons D moving inunison. It is further understood that by the arrangement described apositive means is provided for causing the pistons D to move in unisonwith a view to accomplish the desired result above mentioned.

In order to return the pistons D into outermost position at the time theliquid is pumped out of the cylinder 0 use is made of ropes or cables Kattached at one end to upwardly-extending lugs D arranged on the innerends of some of the pistons D, preferably every alternate piston, asindicated in the drawings. Eachrope or cable K passes around guidepulleys K, K and supports a weight K so that when the oil or otherliquid is pumped out of the cylinders C the weights K pull against thecorresponding pistons D in an outward direction and as the severalpistons are geared with each other it is evident that all the pistonsmove simultaneously into an outward position. It will also be noticedthat the cables K exert an upward pull on the pistons D to prevent thesame from sagging when moving into' outermost position. As shown, theguide pulleys K are disposed horizontally and journaled on the top ofthe corresponding cylinders C while the guide pulleys K are disposedvertically and are supported from the frame A.

In order to prevent the inner ends of the spokes E from moving upwardduring the time the wheel sections are subjected to pres sure asdescribed, use is made of a guide head L provided at its lower end withan outwardly-extending flange L adapted to rest on the top of the innerends of the spokes E directly opposite the center plate F of the tableF, as plainly shown in Fig. 4. The guide head L is provided with handlesL to permit of conveniently placing the head in position on the innerends of the spokes E or 'removing'the head from the said. spokes. Thetop of the head L is adapted to be engaged by a collar N secured to thelower end of a screw rod N extending vertically and provided on itsupper end with a hand wheel N under the control of the operator. Thescrew rod N screws in a nut 0 held in an arm 0 mounted to swinghorizontally on a post 0 attached to the frame A so that the arm 0 canbe swung to one side to permit of placing the head L in position on thespokes or removing it therefrom. The free end of the arm 0 is providedin one side with a slot 0 adapted to engage a vertical rod 0 attached tothe frame A, and on the upper end of the said rod 0 is secured a collar0 adapted to engage the top of the free end of the arm 0 to hold thelatter against upward movement during the time the screw rod N isscrewed downward so as to engage the collar N with the head L to preventupward movement of the latter and consequently of the inner ends of thespokes E The free end of the arm 0 is provided with a handle 0 to permitof conveniently swinging the arm 0 to one side into inactive posit-ionor into active position with the axis of the screw rod N coinciding withthe axis of the wheel.

A false or temporary hub is attached to the inner ends of the spokes Eafter the wheel sections are assembled and while the said sections arestill under the pressure of the pistons D. The false hub consist-s ofbottom and top clamping members P, P, of which the bottom clampingmember P is provided with a central shank P adapted to pass through acentral aperture P in the top clamping member P, and the upper end ofthe said shank P passes into a hollow head L seated on the top of theclamping member P and similar to the head L previously mentioned. Theupper end of the shank P is provided with an opening P for the receptionof a key P adapted to be driven through openings L in the head L toengage the shank P and thus lock the clamping members P and P together,one on the bottom and one on the top of the inner ends of the spokes E,as plainly indicated in Figs. 6 and 8. The upper face of the clampingmember P is provided with annular ribs P having sharp edges at the topto engage the under side of the inner ends of the spokes E and similarribs P are formed on the under side of the clamping member P to engagethe top of the inner ends of the spokes E In order to force the clampingmembers P and P toward each other to embed the ribs P and P in thespokes E the following arrangement is made: The top of the head L isadapted to be engaged by the collar N on the lower end of the screw rodN so that when the latter is screwed downward the collar N exerts apressure on the head L and forces the same downward thus causing theribs P to embed themselves in the spokes PP. The clamping member P isseated on a head. Q provided with an upwardly-extending central pin Qengaging a central opening P in the clamping member P and its shank P(see Fig. 6), and the head Q is held on a vertical rod Q? mounted toslide vertically in a bearing Q attached to the under side of the neck Fof the table F. The lower end of the rod Q is provided with a screwthread Q screwing in a nut R bolted or otherwise fastened to the crossbar B of the legs B previously mentioned. The nut R is provided with acylindrical extension Pt in which is mounted to turn a sleeve S on whichis secured a bevel gear wheel S, and the said hub S is provided with anannular groove S (see Figs. 6 and 7) engaged by a pin R attached to theextension R of the nut R to hold the hub S against vertical movement butto allow turning of the same in the extension R. The head S is furtherprovided with keys S slidingly engaging vertical keyways Q formed in therod Q (see Fig. 6) so that when the hub S is turned a turning motion isgiven to the rod Q to cause the latter to move up or down owing to thethreaded portion Q screwing in the nut it. Thus when the hub S is turnedin one direction the rod Q and the head Q are moved upward so as to movethe clamping member 1 in firm engagement with the under side of thespokes E with a view to embed the ribs P in the said spokes. When thehub S is turned in a reverse direction the rod Q is caused to movedownward to disengage the head Q from the clamping member P which hadbeen previously locked to the clamping member I by the wedge P The headQ is provided with wings Q, slidingly engaging verti :al guideways Q]formed or secured on the inside of the neck F, as plainly indicated inFig. 4. The bevel gear wheel S is in mesh with a bevel gear wheel S (seeFig. 4) secured on the inner end of a shaft T ournaled in suitablebearings B on a bracket B attached to the cross bar B ()n the shaft Tare mounted to turn loosely pulleys T and T connected by belts withother machinery for imparting a rotary motion to the said pulleys T andT in opposite directions. The pulleys T and T'- are provided at theiropposite faces with clutch members T, T adapted to be engaged by adouble clutch member T mounted to turn with and to slide on the shaft T.The double clutch member T is engaged by a shifting lever U pivoted atits upper end on a rod U supported from the frame A, and the lower endof the shifting lever U is connected by a link U with an arm U 3 securedon a shaft U" journaled on one of the legs B, and on the said shaft ll"is secured a handle U under the control of the operator to permit thelatter to shift the double clutch member T from normal position eitherto the right or to the left into engagement with the clutch member or1". Thus when it is desired to rotate the shaft T in one direction theclutch member T is moved into engagement with the clutch member T totransmit the rotary motion of the pulley T by way of the clutch member Tto the shaft T, and the latter by the pinion S* in mesh with the gearwheel S rotates the rod Q} to move the latter in an upward direction,and when it is desired to move the rod in a downward direction theoperator manipulates the handle I so as to throw the clutch member T'"into engagement with the clutch member T". lVhen this takes place therotary motion of the pulley T is transmitted by the clutch members T"and T to the shaft T, that is, the latter is turned in the reversedirection from the one previously mentioned so thatthe rod Q? is movedin a downward direction. hen the clutch member T is intermediate theclutch members T", T" then the shaft T is at a standstill while thepulleys T, T rotate in opposite directions. The shaft U (see Figs. 1 and4;) is provided with a counterweight U which counterbalances the weightof the lever U so as to normally hold the clutch member T inintermediate dormant position, that is, out of engagement with theclutch members T and T 4 The operation is as follows: In order to placethe wheel sections of the wheel E in position on the table F it isnecessary to swing the arm 0 to one side to permit the operator to placethe bottom clamping member Pin position on the head Q and to then placethe wheel sections in position on the table F with the rim E resting onthe top F and the inner ends of the spokes E resting on the center plateF The operator now places the head L in position on the top of the innerends of the spokes E after which the arm 0 is swung back into itscentral position to allow of screwing the screw rod N downward so as toengage the collar N with the top of the head L to prevent upwardmovement of the said head and the inner ends of the spokes, it beinghowever understood that the spokes can move horizontally between thecenter plate F and the under side of the flange L. The pump connectedwith the pipe I is now started so that the fluid under pressure passesinto the outer ends of the cylinders C to force the pistons D inward ina radial direction, the pistons moving in unison owing to the gearingconnecting the pistons with each other, as previously described. Theinner ends of the pistons finally engage the peripheral face of the rimE of the wheel sections and exert a pressure against the said rim E inthe direction of the center of the wheel so that the sections are forcedtogether to provide a true wheel. lVhen this has been done the screw rodN is screwed upward by the operator to permit of removing the head Lfrom the top of the spokes and to permit of placing the top clampingmember P in position on top of the spokes together with the head Lseated on top of the clamping member P. The screw rod N is now screweddownward to exert a downward pressure on the head L and the top clampingmember P with a view to force the ribs P into engagement with thespokes. The operator now manipulates the handle so as to cause the shaftT to rotate with a view to move the rod Q upwardly so as to press theclamping member P in firm engagement with the under side of the spokesand at the same time embedding the ribs P in the spokes. When this hasbeen done the key P is engaged with the shank P and the top of theclamping member P to lock the clamping members P and P into clampingposition on the spokes E The operator now manipulates the handle U tocause the shaft T to rotate in the opposite direction with a view tolower the rod Q and thus disengage the head Q from the clamping memberP. The operator next turns the screw rod N to move the same in an upwarddirection to permit removal of the head L The pump is then reversed topump the liquid out of the cylinders C and thus allow the weights K toreturn the pistons D as the fluid recedes, thus moving the pistons outof position with the rim E of the wheel E. The arm 0 is now swung to oneside to permit removal of the wheel from the machine, it beingunderstood that the wheel sections are firmly locked together by thefalse or temporary hub, to allow of placing a tire onto the rim E in theusual manner.

If on pressing the rim it is found that the rim sections do not form atrue circle when the ends of the rim sections meet, then the surplusmaterial of the rim is cut oil at the meeting ends by the use of ahandsaw, and in order to permit proper cutting of the material at themeeting ends of the rim sections the table top F is provided with slotsF (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4) for the free passage of the hand-saw.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels, comprising aseries of radially-disposed cylinders, pistons movable in the saidcylinders, means for controlling fluid pressure to the said cylinders tomove the pistons toward a common center, and sets of gearings, each setconnecting adjacent pistons with each other to cause the pistons to movein unison.

2. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels, comprising aseries of radially-disposed cylinders, pistons movable in the saidcylinders and each provided with racks, means for controlling fluidpressure to the said cylinders to move the pistons toward a commoncenter, sets of gearings, each set connecting adjacent piston racks witheach other to cause the pistons to move in unison, and weight-controlledmeans connected with the said pistons for returning the same onrelieving the cylinders of fluid pressure.

3. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels, comprising aseries of radially-disposed cylinders, pistons movable in the saidcylinders and provided at opposite sides with racks, means forcontrolling fluid pressure to the said cylinders, and pairs of gearwheels between adjacent pistons, the gear wheels in a pair being in meshwith each other and with the racks of the adjacent pistons.

4. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels, comprising atable for supporting the wheel sections, wheel rim presser devicesgrouped horizontally around the table and disposed radially, the saidpresser devices pressing against the peripheral faces of the wheel rimsections in the direction of the center of the wheel, clamping mem bers,of which one engages the under side of the spokes at the center of thewheel and the other engages the top of the spokes at the center of thewheel, independent presser devices for pressing the said clampingmembers toward each other and in firm contact with the spokes, andfastening means for fastening the said clamping members together whilethe wheel is held pressed by the said presser devices for the wheel rimand the said clamping members.

5. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels, comprising asupport for supporting the wheel sections, wheel rim presser devices forpressing the wheel sections to engage the inner ends of the spokes witheach other, a bottom clamping member adapted to engage the under side ofthe spokes at the center of the wheel, the said clamping member havingan apertured shank extending through a central opening in the wheel, anapertured top clamping member resting on top of the spokes directlyopposite the said bottom clamping member, the said shank passing througha central opening in the said top clamping member, presser devices forpressing the bottom clamping member upward, presser devices for pressingthe top clamping member downward, and a key engaging the said shank andthe said top clamping member to lock the same together while the wheelis held pressed by the presser devices for the wheel rim and theclamping members.

6. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels provided with aframe, a table for supporting the wheel sections to be assembled, thetable being vertically adjustable on the said frame and having a tubularneck, a table top adapted to support the rim of the wheel and verticallyadjustable on the said neck, and a center plate held on the said neckand adapted to support the inner ends of the spokes of the wheel.

7. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels provided with aframe, a table for supporting the wheel sections to be assembled, thetable being vertically adjustable on the said frame and havin a threadedtubular neck, a table top screwmg on the said neck and adapted tosupport the rim of the wheel, and a center plate fitted on the said neckand adapted to support the inner ends of the spokes of the wheel.

8. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels, comprising atable for supporting the wheel sections to be assembled, presser devicesfor pressing the rim of the wheel in a direction toward the center ofthe wheel and holding the sections in the assembled position, amanually-controlled presser device for engagement with the top of thespokes at the center of the wheel, and power-driven means for engagementwith the under side of the spokes at the center of the wheel.

9. An assembling machine for assembling wooden wheels, comprising atable for supporting the wheel sections to be assembled, presser devicesfor pressing the rim of the wheel in a direction toward the center ofthe wheel and holding the sections in the assembled position, amanually-controlled presser device for engagement with the top of thespokes at the center of the wheel, power-driven means for engagementwith the under side of the spokes at the center of the wheel, the saidpower-driven means comprising a rod mounted to move up and down andprovided with a threaded portion, and vertical keyways, a fixed nut inwhich screws the said threaded portion, the nut having a bearing, asleeve mounted to turn in the said bearing and provided with an annulargroove and with keys slidably engaging the said keyways, a pin in thesaid bearing and engaging the said annular groove, and means forrotating the said sleeve in either direction.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. ENSIGN.

lVitnesses:

C. H. KETTENING, G. O. HOFFMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

